“THE PSALMIST’S CONFIDENCE IN GOD, HIS REFUGE

Psalm 91 has been labeled as messianic, a psalm portraying the wonderful life of Christ.  The message of this psalm is that the believer has security and protection only in God. No matter how extreme the test of a believer may be, he or she has safety only in the protection that God offers.  From a salvation perspective, we have eternal safety and security only in Jesus Christ, for St. John 14:6 states, “Jesus saith unto him (Thomas), I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”  Yes, eternal security is found only in God’s Son, for St. John 10:28-29 says, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.  My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.”

In verses 1-2, the psalmist unfolds his confidence in the fact that security and protection is found only in trusting in the most High God.  In fact, the Lord is the believer’s only means of security and he is constantly being protected by God.  The source of the psalmist’s trust is the Lord, as he states, “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust.”  Any believer whose trust is in the Lord, will experience God’s peace, regardless of his plight, for Isaiah 26:3 states, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”  Verse 4 of Isaiah 26 further states, “Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.”

In verses 3-8, the psalmist describes the various ways in which God delivers a believer.  No matter how extremely dangerous the situation may be, God protects a believer who places his or her faith in Him.  What amazing security is found in verses 5-7:  “Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.  A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.”

A believer is completely safe and finds comfort only by trusting in God.  There are many believers who can testify to the fact that Psalm 91 has been a source of consolation while the believer was encountering a dangerous situation in life.  The psalmist states in verses 9-13 that no harm or danger can befall a child of God whose trust is in God.  Even angels are used as protecting agents of God to believers (Hebrews 1:14) as stated in verses 10-11: “There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.”

The psalmist concludes this psalm in verses 14-16 by asserting his confident assurance that God will deliver him from his trouble:  “He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation” (vv. 15-16).

May God Bless!